If you’ve recently picked up the PSVR2 headset, and are wondering what games are actually worth playing on your PS5 in VR, hopefully this post will help you out.
No matter your preferred gaming genre, you’re likely to find something on the list that suits your style — from racing games, to first person shooter games and rock climbing — PSVR2’s gaming library, while still growing, has a bit of something for every kind of gamer.
1. Gran Turismo 7
One of the incredible feats of GT7 in VR is that shockingly, it doesn’t make you feel sick. This was one of our main concerns when it comes to racing games in VR, and yet, GT7 is surprisingly relaxing and almost meditative. We’re not the only one’s that think so — Scott Stein who writes on CNET describes GT7 similarly:
I didn’t expect Gran Turismo 7 to be the most relaxing and comforting game on the PlayStation VR 2. Yes, it’s a high-speed racing game with extremely realistic physics. But for me it’s become the most meditative PSVR 2 experience next to Tetris Effect Connected.
Stein interviewed one of the series producers, Kazunori Yamauchi, who also happens to be a professional racing driver. In the interview, Yamauchi talks about how bringing GT7 to VR was a dream he’s had since the game’s initial launch:
Wanting to put [GT7] in proper VR was something of a dream that I had since the very first Gran Turismo, to really bring true VR to the consumer level. I think we were just part of that group of people who were dreaming to see this actually happen. — Kazunori Yamauchi in his interview with Scott Stein.
Seeing GT7 enter the world of VR is something like a dream come true for Yamauchi. It also means that he’s envisioned the game existing in VR since the beginning. And now that it finally is available in VR, it’s exceeded expectations and brought the racing game experience to a whole new level of immersion that has yet to be matched by any other. The attention to detail, the smoothness of the drive, weather effects and interiors of the car (also the vivid details of the other cars on the race track) are all what makes GT7 the most immersive racing game available today (and also one of the best games to play on the PSVR2).
2. Walkabout Mini-Golf
If you need something to scratch that golfing itch, then Walkabout mini-golf is the PSVR2 game for you. Released by Mighty Coconut, Walkabout includes a total of 18 courses, each course having its own night-mode version to unlock. There are also 188 custom balls hidden throughout the courses, making for a fun, additional challenge to overcome (to the already challenging courses).
Each course invites you to its own unique world, landscape and layout, with a unique set of obstacles to beat. The courses themselves are exciting to explore even without the golf — like the Atlantis course — you might find yourself swimming with the whales, stingrays and fishes before you get around to actually playing golf.
The social element in Walkabout is also top-notch: it can support up to 8 players, and with most of the avatars having mouths, it’s a blast to play with other people and hang out around the course. It also has cross play functionality, as Chris Shrugg mentions in his review of the game:
Multiplayer is also cross play with PCVR and Quest players, so regardless of what headset your friends own you can play together. Multiplayer really brings this game alive and, if you are lucky enough to own another headset in your home, it makes for a fantastic living room experience to play together in the same room on multiple headsets. — The VR Grid by Chris Shrugg.
All the user reviews I’ve seen for Walkabout in VR have been overwhelmingly positive, praising the game for its intuitive gameplay, colourful VR visuals and realistic physics. If you want to take your gameplay (or golf-play) up a notch, and make the golfing experience that much more immersive, you can get yourself a VR golf putter as the perfect gameplay companion. Glistco’s G-Iron Virtual Reality Golf Club is currently compatible with the Meta Quest, Quest 2, HTC Vive, Valve’s Index and the Oculus Rift S. I’ve heard that the PSVR2 version is currently in the works.
If you’re on the lookout for some exceptional rounds of golf in VR, either to work on your own putt as a solo player, or to play a round of golf with others, Walkabout on PSVR delivers.
3. Pavlov
Touted as being one of the most addictive and adrenaline-inducing games on PSVR, developed by Vankrupt Games, there’s a reason why Pavlov is considered one of the best VR shooter games today. When it comes to first-person shooter (FPS) games, Pavlov is stunningly immersive. With a wide array of weapons and attachments to choose from (65+), combined with the actual physicality of the weapon handling, the gameplay is both thrilling and convincing.
You can play either PvP or co-op, and there are loads of multiplayer game modes, like their classic deathmatch (every man for himself), team deathmatch, to seek and destroy and the online zombies mode. With one of the most active online communities, you won’t struggle to find a server of players to join and game with.
To get even more elevated immersion in your gameplay, you can’t go wrong with a VR gunstock. Glistco’s VR gunstock improves accuracy and shooting alignment, it comes with adjustable straps and sturdy, strong magnets. The carbon fiber finish gives it a sleek matte look, so you’ll look and feel legit while gaming, too. The Magni Stock Gun Stock is compatible with the PSVR2 headset. The Magni Stock is also compatible with the Oculus Quest/Quest 2/Rift S, Valve’s Index and the HTC Vive (just make sure you select the right one for your headset on Glistco’s site).
4. Horizon Call of the Mountain
Co-developed by Guerrilla Games and Firesprite, Horizon Call of the Mountain is probably the most brilliantly designed and aesthetically stunning climbing game available from the PSVR2 library. It’s also not just climbing you’ll be doing, as it turns out, archery is also extremely fun and satisfying in VR too, or at least it is in this game.
Unlike the other games on this list so far, Call of the Mountain is a traditional game in the sense that there’s a storyline and we play from the perspective of one of the main characters, Ryas, a skilled climber and archer with an elusive past. The world is set in the future where machines have taken over humanity and now there are robot dinosaurs that exist and roam the land. There are tools that you find and can pick up throughout the game, which will come in handy as you progress through the game (pickaxes, hooks and throwing discs), though not everything is interactive/pickup-able.
User reviews consistently comment on how the game showcases the scope of technical capabilities and power of the PSVR2 headset, which makes sense since it was chosen as Sony’s premier flagship game. The other compelling aspect of Call of the Mountain is that there’s much more than just climbing that the game offers, there are battles, mini puzzles, crafting and more action that you can look forward to exploring in the expansive world. So, in terms of experiencing the best of the best that the PSVR2 has to offer, Call of the Mountain should be on your list.
5. Moss + Moss Book: II
Winner of the best VR game of the year, to cap off the list with our number 5 slot: Moss and Moss Book: II. Developed by Polyarc, Moss is described as “a single player action-adventure puzzle game for all ages. Built for virtual reality from the ground up, Moss reimagines classic action-adventure gameplay in a first-of-its-kind fully immersive environment.”
We play as the character Reader, and we control the little mouse Quill as we explore the world of Moss, which is brimming with lore and legend, caves, mysterious creatures, ancient artifacts and intricate puzzles that are a joy to solve. To progress throughout the game, you have to manipulate the environment you’re in and defeat the enemies (in this way it’s comparable to something like Zelda).
According to Metacritic, the PSVR2 version has garnered “universal acclaim”, with the game reviews saying how the sequel is an outstanding sequel to the first installation, with spectacular visuals and an unforgettable soundtrack and character quirks, Moss Book: II is certifiably one of the must-play games on PSVR2.
1 comment
Jack
Lol… Call of the Mountain… that’s a stretch… its a boring pile… no RE? Or NMS? This list is bogus